Recording-reproduction apparatus for an endless tape

Abstract

A recording and/or reproduction apparatus for an endless tape which includes a hollow fixed reel, the outer wall of which is wound with an endless tape which is conducted from the innermost portion and wound onto the outermost side a head mechanism for scanning the thus guided tape, a pinch roller and capstan which are driven with the tape held therebetween thereby causing the tape to be slackened downstream of the capstan, a swingable arm which releases the pinch roller from the capstan before its rotation is brought to an end, and a guide pin for releasing the tape from the head mechanism, capstan and pinch roller.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A recording and/or reproduction apparatus for an endless tape comprising: a hollow fixed reel including an inner and outer wall, said outer wall being wound with said endless tape;   guide means for conducting the innermost portion of the tape wound about the outer wall of the hollow fixed reel from the inner wall of said hollow fixed reel onto the outermost side of said wound tape;   head mechanism for recording and/or reproducing operation of the tape thus guided; and   a pinch roller and capstan which are driven with the tape held therebetween thereby causing the tape to form a slackened portion downstream of the capstan;   pinch roller drive means for releasing the pinch roller from the capstan before rotation of the capstan is brought to an end and stopping of the tape running occurs, such that the slackened portion of the tape is partly drawn up; and   tape portion biasing means for releasing the tape from the head mechanism when the pinch roller is released from the capstan for partly pulling the slackened portion of the tape, such that the slackened portion of the tape is removed after the tape running is stopped.   
     
     
       2. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head mechanism comprises a head slidingly contacting one plane of the tape and at least one guide member. 
     
     
       3. The recording and/or reproduction appartus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one guide member comprises a pair of guide members such that one guide member is positioned on both sides of the head. 
     
     
       4. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a tape cassette provided with a housing for holding the hollow fixed reel, the guide means and the tape portion biasing means; and a drive device including a substrate for supporting the head mechanism, the pinch roller, the capstan, and the pinch roller drive means.   
     
     
       5. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tape portion biasing means further comprises a guide member rotatably received in the housing to engage a portion of the tape. 
     
     
       6. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pinch roller drive means comprises a support arm rotatably mounted on the substrate for rotatably supporting the pinch roller. 
     
     
       7. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus according to claim 6, which further comprises means for rotating the guide member when the support arm is rotatably driven. 
     
     
       8. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, which further comprises at least one rubber roller which contacts the bottom plane of the tape wound about the outer wall of the hollow fixed reel, thereby preventing the wound magnetic tape from being expanded by centrifugal force occurring when the wound tape is rotated. 
     
     
       9. A recording and/or reproduction apparatus for an endless tape according to claim 1 wherein said head mechanism, said pinch roller, said capstan and said tape portion biasing means are disposed within said inner wall of said hollow fixed reel.